. >> john has played a central role in every major foreign policy debate for nearly 30 years. as we turn the page on a decade of war, he understands that we have got to it harness all elements of american power and ensure that they are working together. >> the president then saying senator kerry's entire life has prepared him for this role. the senator has spent decades on the foreign relations committee and he is currently the chairman of that. he is also a former presidential candidate as you know. and a decorated vietnam veteran who was critical of the war effort when he returned to the u.s. senator kerry's nomination came after susan rice came under recently she was thought to be a frontrunner for the job until her comments on the attacks u.s. consulate in libya triggered strong criticism of her. you may have noticed the current secretary's absence from today's announcement. the president saying secretary clinton still recovering from concussion. wendell goler with the news. with the burden of proofy road once first alert forecast for susan rice now gone, senator kerry exp